Ships of the Consortium
The Consortium space fleet (referred to as 'Airwatch') maintains a full spectrum of fighters, warships, and logistics vessels to fill it's various needs. Of these, all but the Morningstar itself are Sirius-built vessels (often with extensive modification) either purchased from other factions, captured and converted, or in some cases replicated and built by the Consortium themselves.
Below is a list of Consortium Airwatch shiptypes used in the Sirius theatre of operations. Including details of their employment and modifications made to the original airframes.
Strike Craft
The Primary arm of Airwatch Force Projection capability, combat ships, manned or unmanned, below what is deemed 'Frigate' class by tonnage (this definition is also variable based on a ship's role). Most Airwatch strike craft are manned by cybernetically augmented pilots, given superior reaction time and decision making compared to DCU hardware.
Most Consortium strike craft are, for practical purposes, re-engineered versions of Sirius-designed ships and built with as much 'off the shelf' technology as possible for ease of maintenance. Some examples of Consortium native engineering (mainly to do with improved manufacturing techniques and human-ship computer interface, as well as stealth technology) are integrated. Though not as extensively as on larger ships.
The following is a list of currently active or likely-to-be-acquired Airwatch ships.
Type-81 ACH
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This shipclass and it's derivatives are commonly used by all manner of individuals in Sirius. And the hull's availability, adaptability, and tactical prowess were it's primary appeals to the Airwatch inventory. As well as it's ability to 'blend in' with other traffic, and potential capacity for growth. However, the design would need extensive modification for it to be compatible with Airwatch doctrane.
The Type-81's power systems were switched from a single fusion reactor to a pair of smaller CX reactors, which provide roughly the same power output in normal operation, but have the benefit of redundancy. The Ship's cockpit was heavily re-engineered with Airwatch Neural Interface equipment, and holo-display systems. As well, accommodations were made for easy conversion to accept a Drone Controller if required (by removal of the pilot's station and installation of the DCU module and Sensor device, replacing the cockpit canopy.
The existing engines in the baseline model proved inefficient due to high emissions versus fuel consumption. Replacement with re-engineered models served to both decrease the temperature output and emissions, and allow the engines to run on both conventional H-Fuel, and Cardamine-Imulsion with no modification beyond switching settings on the burners and injector nozzles, which can be done in flight while the engine is functioning.
Finally, the Type-81 has been equipped with Active Stealth systems. While a true Cloaking device is beyond capacity currently, the combination of Wave-blackout systems, reconfigurable ECM/ECCM pods, deployable ELINT microdrones, Laser Blinders, Spoofer Flares, and Light Emitter pods can create a similar effect, blinding most sensor systems (with the exception of those which match the ship's mass against the background of space, but this isn't generally a factor given the ship's small size).
Type-89 SFA
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While the Type-81 remains the general purpose attach fighter of Airwatch fleets, it has two main flaws which limit it's effectiveness. 1: The ship's design is not conductive to Atmospheric Flight and Maneuvering, 2: the ship's sensor signature requires much more effort to mask then other ships.
The Type-89 class was adopted in small numbers by Blackwatch units and infiltrators primarily for transportation with self defense capability. More recently, Airwatch forces have begun adopting these ships and modifying them to fill the role of Stealth Raiders and atmospheric fighters, an environment wherein they are vastly superior to the Type-81s in Airwatch service.
It possesses a very similar combined active stealth system to the Type-81, but the Type-89's hull design makes the system much more efficient, due to the smaller cross section and limited reflectivity to laser-based sensors.
For atmospheric flight, the Type-89 has been equipped with external munitions stores (including freefall guided bombs, air to air missiles, surface scanning radars, and ballistic gunpods). Due to the fact that space shields are much less effective due to atmospheric scattering, they do not offer complete protection from projectiles. The Type-89 has the option of equipping reactive armor and ceramic tiles to mitigate the effects of these weapons.
As well, Directed Energy weapons common in space flight, also suffer from 'blooming' or 'scattering' due to the density of air molecules. The Type-89 was designed with a pair of dorsal mounts, which Airwatch forces have fitted with a pair of repeating KEWs. Which, while ineffective in space, are devastating against atmospheric and surface targets. However, their topside location makes them difficult to train on surface targets. One tactic is to temporarily fly the ship inverted, though this can cause disorientation for the pilot or expose the top of the ship to ground fire.
Type-72 ACM
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A derivative of the Type-81, the Type-72 was intended as a lower-end export model, but has a few advantages which make it useful. The Type-72 has a somewhat lower mass then it's larger cousin due to the removal of wing connecting spars, but at the cost of structural integrity. In Airwatch use, Type-72s are deployed mainly as a supporting wing or in situations where a compromise between the Type-81 and Type-55 are needed.
Type-72s are also more dependent on numbers to offset their slightly lower damage potential, whereas Type-81s are often known to inflict disproportional casualties alone. In most cases though, the use of the Type-72 and Type-81 are subject to pilot preference, as both ships can perform essentially the same tasks.
Type-44 ACE
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Versions of this ship were aquired for evaluation purposes, but proved woefully inadequate as front-line tactical fighters, even despite modifications made to their power systems. Rather then scrap them, however, most Type-44s in Consortium service received a significant redesign to fit the niche of Tactical reconnaissance and support, while still retaining some defensive capability.
The Type-44's main advantages in this role were it's lower sensor profile, powerful engine array (even before Consortium modification), and forward hull design being an ideal mount location for internal sensor hardware. The baseline model's power core has been replaced to power the sensor array and ELINT hardware, and the engines have been refined to give the Type-44 extreme acceleration to escape intercept.
Due to the often long duration of Type-44 patrols, and the inherent danger of their missions deep into enemy territory, they are usually flown autonomously via DCU hardware. Beyond long range strategic reconnaissance, Type-44s may be attached to other Airwatch forces to provide valuable sensor cover and electronic warfare support.
Type-55 ACL
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Another derivative of the Type-81, the Type-55 is optimized for maneuverability and cost effectiveness. The removal of the entire lower drive pylon lowers the mass of the basic frame significantly decreases the ship's profile, mass, and sensor cross section. However, this comes at the cost of firepower (due to the loss of the hardpoints on the ship's lower wing) and to some extent, armor (as some the ship's heavy external armor layering was removed to compensate for the loss of the second engine).
Another side benefit was the change in mass made a much lower surface area for conducting atmospheric flight. The Type-55 is much more commonly used in that role then the larger models for this reason, though Type-55's require significant modification to make them airworthy (addition of small tailfins, winglets, and flight control surfaces, under the sublcass of Type-55C).
In atmospheric flight roles, they are typically used as air superiority fighters, having lower mass and superior agility to the Type-89. However, Type-55C's are almost always flown by DCU's and without inertial dampers, lowering their mass and freeing up their power grid to the point where they are comparable to purpose built atmospheric fighters.
Type-121 ACB
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Purchased from the Outcasts through mutual deals with the GC, the Consortium has a number of ships designated 'Type-121' in their inventory. These ships fulfill much the same role in Airwatch fleets as they do in Outcast ones, Destruction of enemy warships and hardened targets. In this tasking, they are usually deployed as part of a combined arms strike force, due to tactical inflexibility and lack of maneuverability. Despite this, they fufill an essential role as Artillery for Strikecraft wings, and commerce raiders, and even capital ship flotillas.
While they possess the same stealth systems as contemporary Airwatch vessels, their profile and mass render these less effective then on other ships. As well, they are highly vulnerable to almost any enemy strikecraft. Due to the cost of their weapon systems and limited tactical flexibility, they are almost never seen unescorted.
Type-111 HAC
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While currently not in service with Airwatch forces, the 'Type-111' is under evaluation for potential aquisition and deployment to remedy some of the faults in the Type-121, and provide a more flexible platform for interception of enemy warships. It's power systems are capable of deploying heavy antiship weapons, as well as smaller weapon systems for use against strike craft.
Though, it's size and mass are the primary limiting factors. Evaluation of it's exact capabilities and scope for modification would need to be conducted to integrate it properly into Airwatch fleet strategy.
FRIGATES
FF Class combatants serve as intermediaries between strategic warships and smaller strike craft. While competant in a combined-arms strategy, their adaptability between classes is highly conductive to independant operations abroad and patrolling contested space. As well, they are the largest combatants authorised for commerce interdiction.
Type-310 FFB
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A highly economical hull with massive scope for modification. The Tridente is the main combatant in Consortium fleets above strike craft. The basic design is a massively expanded version of the Type-81 series, and shares it's adaptability. The Type-310 in Consortium service can be operated by a single pilot, with most of it's functions controlled by on-board VI systems. (though additional crew and passengers can be deployed if needs' be).
The Type-310 is also an excellent multi-mission platform. Typically fitted with internal 'mission modules', which contain whatever hardware is required for it's deployment. These can be easily swapped out as required, and the Consortium refitted computer systems are designed to be able to interface with these modules and reconfigure automatically. Like all large Consortium craft, the ship is capable of direct interface with a Co-ordinator AI, allowing it to take some of the workload off of the pilot, recive feedback from the ship's systems, and give instructions or even take control of the FFB at any time.
In combat, the Type-310 is mainly deployed as a manuver combatant. Typically using it's heavy firepower and presance to break up enemy strike craft cohesion, while supporting assets seek and destroy their targets. Against larger ships like Destroyers, the Type-310 must levy it's manuverability, but is still often outclassed unless superior numbers or proper supporting assets are present.
The Type-310 is also capable of atmospheric flight. It's armor allowing it to slough off most Anti-aircraft weapons, however, it's turrets have difficulty with aerodynamic stresses at high speeds, and must lock in place when moving at high airspeed.
CAPITAL SHIPS
Due to logistical, financial, and tactical constraints, Airwatch operates few capital warships. However, it does operate them, and deploys them strategically, often in a more defensive role then anything else. With Modern capital ships having to contend with increasingly effective bomber and anti-warship mitigation methods, their tactical survivability is questionable. This compared with their high cost of operation (even with the automation and optimization methods made by the Consortium), logistical strain, and limited flexibility make them secondary to strike-craft.
Typically, Consortium warships are optimized as strikecraft carriers or support assets, or as a mitigation method for enemy capital ships when sufficient numbers of attack bombers cannot be assembled.
Type-332 DDK
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Airwatch destroyers and similarly large combatants are far more specialized then those of most other factions. Heavily modified and rebuilt from their origional hull layout, they only vaguely resemble the Origional outcast ships they were engineered from. The Outcast Destroyer hull was selected to replace the early model Talarca class cruisers, having significantly more interior space, but lacking moddability. To that end, massive rebuilds were made with each of the hulls acquired to install new hardware and optimize the hulls for use in a Consortium combat environment.
Among the modifications are new Sensors, Engines, and a complete replacement of the power system and reactors, and the addition of external refueling and mooring racks for strike craft. The Consortium continue to adapt their warships to the changing nature of their combat environment, and have rebuilt many areas to accept modular componants.
The Type-332 destroyer class serves two primary roles in the Airwatch fleet. It's main task is as a Capital-ship interceptor. Assigned to protect key hardpoints and assault enemy warships which threaten it's airspace. It's overpowered engines, thin profile, and upgraded armor make it adept at 'boom and zoom' tactics, even when dealing with smaller, more nimble Kusari warships.
The second task is that the Destroyer hulls often possess significant on-board logstics facilities. These include verious electronic warfare, sensors, C3I, and other systems (though often not as extensive as other ships). Yet other hulls have been modified into chassis for Consortium AI tetranodes, and in one case, a mobile Augmentation facility (though this example is not combat-worthy).
Type-123 MCS
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With the Consortium's aggressive assimilation tactics on large civilian populations, one of the ideal targets are Cruise Liners and Slave Ships, given their often high volume of 'fresh meat'. Standard operating procedure is to capture ships of this type whole, via forced boarding, and haul them back to a staging area for processing. While the crews are assimilated, the Liner Hulls themselves are just as useful to the Airwatch fleet. Typically, these ships have their interiors gutted, bulkheads removed, and replaced with mounting equipment for installation of large 'Mission Modules'. As well as recieving structural re-inforcement. Often, Drive systems and weapons are also replaced, and control hardware updated to be combatable with that of the Consortium.
With the relatively simple modular infrastructure, a single Liner hull can serve in any number of diffrent configurations. Ranging from space control ships, light carriers, cargo ships, landing craft deployers, troop transports, cybernetics factories, and mobile refineries. Usually, modification can be done relatively quickly in a drydock, with new pre-built mission modules installed, and any nessescary external hardware added. The main parts of the ship still intact from the origional form are the bridge and engineering section (though, often the latter is updated with Consortium reactor systems and engines).
This sheer adaptability, and the relatively innocuous appearance of these ships belies their usefulness. More then 'true' capital ships, Consortium armored Liners are among the most important large ships in the fleet.
Type-125 MCS
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Slavers are as much a target of Consortium assimilation methods as legitimate passenger transporters. Consiquently, a significant number of former slave-ships have been integrated into the Airwatch fleet. Like conversions of luxury liners and prison ships, these slave transports are happily pressed into service as everything from merchant ships to battle carriers. However, as most slavers perfer antiquated liner hulls over more modern ships, these slaver ships are considered 'second line' compared to Prison ships. However, their hull layouts and drives do have a few advantages.
Often, these slave ships are deployed in more non-combat roles then their newer cousins, such as strikecraft tending, engineering support control, mobile refining, and as Augmentation labs. Like their newer cousins, these slave ships are modified for adaptability and modular internals, and can be adapted to almost any role with a minimal dry-dock stay.
Type-1 BBHC
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The Morningstar class Battleship is the single, unique piece of Antarean engineering which brought the first progenitors of the Consortium to Sirius, centuries ago. Still operational, the Morningstar's mission has changed significantly. Origionally intended as primarily a ferry to Sirius and a mobile base of operation, and act as a mobile command post after it's arrival. Following the Nomad war, and the gradual re-engineering of the Consortium, however. The Morningstar was sent to Epsilon Eridani, to use it's on-board mining drones and molecular refineries to begin construction of an installation there.
Despite it's age, the Morningstar remains unimaginably technologically superior to any Sirius-built warship. Built around a spinal mount Dark Energy Beam, it's capacity for destruction is immensive. However, it has never actually engaged another worthy adversary directly. In all likelyhood, it never will. It remains more a symbolic and utilitarian embodiment of Consortum engineering, less a threat on it's own, and more a harbinger of things to come...
(//as the Morningstar does not actually exist in-game, nor is it likely to, it is listed here primarily for referential and RP purposes)
LOGISTICS
As important as the Consortium's tactical capacity is it's ability to support it's operations with an equally formidable fleet of trade ships, mining drones, and manufacturing platforms. Given the highly decentralized nature of the Consortium, and lack of fixed bases, these transports are often called upon to fill the roles that would otherwise be taken up by space stations. The advantages however are numerous, higher mobility and flexibility, survivability, and the lack of a singular target for potential aggressors.
Type-88 FR
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The Type-88 class freighter is commonly used by the Consortium as a small, and reasonably well armed and armored shuttlecraft and dropship. It's rugged design and shared lineage with the Type-81 series of ships make it an obvious choice as a small logistics ship. Typically, these vessels are used for low-level transport of goods which do not nessescetate use of a larger or more powerfuls ship. As well, they may be used attendants for larger merchant transports, or cargo ferries.
It is, however, also a rugged vessel capable of operating in a combat environment (so long as it does not become a primary target). Because of it's small profile and cargo capacity, it is often used as a dropship and boarding craft. It can defend itself and support other strike-craft, but is inferior to most fighter-class ships in open combat.
Type-27 AT
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Larger and more imposing then the Type-88, Type-27s are used in large numbers for many of the same roles as smaller freighters, abiet taking advantage of their larger cargo bay and higher defensive capacity and structural integrity. In situations where logistics ships are expected to take hits, these ships are often the first choice. It is also because of this that Type-27s are perferred for planetary insertion, with their larger size, heavier frame, and ability to carry armored vehicles such as tanks or mechs. LCA variants are often equipped with ventral bay doors and lifts to drop their cargo below them.
ATs may also be deployed as escorts and attendants for larger liners, capital ships, or merchants, or for a wide veriety of other utilitarian roles which require a durable chassis which can survive hostile fire, and fight off potential aggressors.
Type 56/57 AK
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Type 56 and 57 Transport ships are very commonly used in the civilian world, and thusly, commonly interned by the Consortium. Owing to these ship's simplity, and single purpose nature, they are ideal for non-combat transportation and storage of cargo. Typically, they are given less modification then other Consortium shiptypes, by virtue of their minimalistic design and usage.
However, transports of this class are limited due to their minimal defensive capability, and no real capacity for growth or repurposing, so they remain as little more then self-propelled containers.
Type 60/60/62 AK-C
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Type 60+ series of transport trains are, like their smaller counterparts, designed exclusively for non-military prioity cargoes and aux storage. Their larger size, lower manuberavility, and more complex nature however, make them less common then most other logistic shipclasses. However, they are heavily used for high volume, low individual size cargoes.
Type-77 AK
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The backbone of Consortium logistics and trade endevours. The Type-77 strikes a balance between cargo capacity, adaptability, and defense capability. As well, it's resonably low operating cost and compatable componants with the Type-81 and derivatives. While some versions of this chassis have been adapted for alternative tasking, such as mobile refining or as light manufacturing barges, the majority remain optimized for cargo transportation.
Type-73 AK-T
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Type-73 class ships are some of the largest logistics ships operated by the Consortium fleet. Owing to their size, their primary role is to transport cargoes too physically large, bulky, and that cannot be disassembled or placed on other ships. By virtue of the transport's bulk and inefficiency at other tasking, it is a highly specialized vessel.
COMBAT ENGINEERING
The ability for the Consortium to expand at the terrifying rate it has comes on the back of it's ability to construct new weapons, if even at a sub-par rate compared to more developed factions. The ability to obtain raw materials, refine, and process, as well as upgrade and maintain their fleets falls to the Consortium's Engineering units. The following are the commonly seen Combat Engineering vessels.
Type-90 AR
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Like any other spacefarers, the Consortium must be able to maintain it's ships and repair damage caused by both the hazards of being in space, as well as fighting in it. Consortium repair ships are, for all intents and purposes, structurally and functionally identical to those of any other faction. As it's name suggests, the primary purpose of these ships is to maintain the function of allied vessels and stations in the field. This often means straying close to large scale combat, and spot-repairing large warships, or smaller strike-craft.
Outside of this, Type-90 class vessels also serve as construction ships and attendants, as their myrad of robotic arms and tools allows them to perform a number of tasks which require higher articulation then can be accomplished with a tractor beam.
Type-48 HL
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Often, the manipulation of massive objects in space requires ship with massive thrust arrays to accomplish. In the case of the Consortium, such objects include enemy warships, stations, and large asteroids. The simple Heavy Lifter is the answer. The Consortium version is largely identical to the civilian version, except for some structural re-inforcement, slightly tuned engines, and external armor.
What is diffrent is the much more sinister usage of these ships. Often, Lifters are used to physically grapple onto an enemy ship, overwhelming their target's drive systems, and hauling it back to a secure area. Often, multiple lifters are required for this purpose, depending on the thrust ratio of the target ship, but many of the Liners, Slave Ships, and Warships which have disappeared at the Consortium's hands have done so by way of this innocuous looking ship.
Type-107 YM
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Earlier in the Consortium's history, they were forced to purchase raw materials for construction projects from other factions such as the Outcasts. Gradually, as time went on, the Consortium began to acqire it's own fleet of mining ships, while converting some transport ships into mobile refineries. While this did not completely weane the Consortium's dependance on foriegn minerals, it did allow large scale mining operations on their own timetable rather then that of their benefactors.
Type-107s are Consortium modified versions of the ubiquitous mining ships which can be found all across Sirius. Aside from higher automation and more advanced molecular processing technology, they are identical to their baseline configured versions.
Type-2 SY
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Plans for a large, mobile installation to act as a mothership and command centre, capable of high-capacity manufacturing and augmentation have been in place since well prior to the current Generation of Consortium operations. Until now, however, resources were utterly insufficient to manufacture such a station.
The Junkers' development of the 'Barge' created an ideal oppurtunity. Such a ship could be easily manufactured to suit the Consortium's needs much more cheaply then could otherwise be accomplished. As well, the Junkers are in an ideal position politically, with Kusari's practical declaration of war upon them. Plans are in progress to lay the political framework for such a project to begin. Requiring the pooled effort of the Entire Consortium logistics front, as well as the involvement of several other factions, such an undertaking is predicted to more then pay for itself when completed.
All of this information is speculative at this point, but the Consortium do seem to be taking this prospect very seriously.
